Voter turnout for this year’s Republican primary in Missouri dropped more than 38 percent compared to 2008, with fewer voters casting ballots across the state, according to the Secretary of State’s website.

In Boone County, the results are largely different than in the previous primary. Voter turnout this year was a meager 9.07 percent, compared to 47.91 percent in 2008, according to the Boone County Clerk’s archives.

Election workers at the Rejoice Free Will Baptist Church on Chapel Hill Road described the event as a “popularity contest,” saying the day had been routine. They said there was only a small amount of first-time voters this year.

Unofficial results have the total statewide voter turnout at 7.98 percent, compared with a record 24 percent in 2008, according to Secretary of State’s website. That number is in line with Boone County.

This drop in participation could be due to the fact that this year, the Missouri primary is largely symbolic, carrying no binding agreement for the state’s delegates to be sent to the national convention.

With all precincts reported, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum defeated his opponents and grabbed 55.2 percent of the Republican votes cast in Missouri, and captured 49.51 percent in Boone County, according to Boone County and Missouri state websites.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was behind Santorum, capturing 25.3 percent of the statewide vote, with 27.1 percent in Boone County, leaving Ron Paul with 12.2 percent of the popular statewide vote and 18.2 percent in Boone County, according to the Secretary of State and Boone County Clerk websites.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was not on the ballot. In a statement, he dismissed the importance of the primary, saying he is committed to the March 17 caucus.

“You will see us campaigning very hard in March, and I think we’ll do very well in the March caucuses,” Gingrich said in a post-primary interview on CNN.

The Missouri Democratic Party, meanwhile, is critical of the inability of voters to decide who is awarded delegates.

“The Missouri Republican Party will continue to ignore the votes cast on Primary Day and instead, they’ll let a handful of insiders gather in March to decide which presidential candidate they’ll support at convention,” party Chairman Mike Sanders said.

On March 17, caucuses will be held in each precinct in Missouri, with the winner being awarded the state’s 52 current delegates.

Santorum also defeated his rivals in two other states participating in primaries and caucuses Tuesday, winning Colorado with 40.3 percent of the vote and Minnesota with 44.9 percent of the vote.

The three-state sweep could give Santorum the momentum he needs to move forward to the eventual Republican nomination. During his speech in St. Charles following the Missouri primary, he alluded to his increasing momentum against Romney.

“Thank you all so very very much, it is great to be here,” Santorum said. “I just can’t thank the people of Missouri enough. We doubled him up here, and in Minnesota.”

Santorum was the only candidate who campaigned in the state of Missouri. The others focused on Colorado and Minnesota, according to their respective campaign websites.

March 17 is the next event for the Missouri voters to choose a Republican nominee. At that time, the winner will be awarded delegates to represent Missouri at the Republican National Convention in August.